Multi-functional headlamp and image projector

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle headlamp assembly comprising at least one laser and a controller in communication with the vehicle headlamp assembly to control the at least one laser to provide a plurality of functions. An input device is configured to receive input commands to control the at least one laser to provide a selected one of the plurality of functions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a headlamp assembly that providesmultiple different functions.

BACKGROUND

The automotive industry continuously strives to provide vehiclecomponents with additional functions and features that extend beyondtheir traditional functions.

SUMMARY

An apparatus according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosureincludes, among other things, a vehicle headlamp assembly comprising atleast one laser and a controller in communication with the vehicleheadlamp assembly to control the at least one laser to provide aplurality of functions. An input device is configured to receive inputcommands to control the at least one laser to provide a selected one ofthe plurality of functions.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing apparatus, theplurality of functions comprise one or more of: a levelling function, aworksite survey function, an outdoor projector function, a traffic lightfunction.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,the plurality of functions comprise a levelling function, a worksitesurvey function, an outdoor projector function, and a traffic lightfunction.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,the vehicle headlamp assembly is adjustable in multiple degrees offreedom.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,the vehicle headlamp assembly is configured to be mounted within avehicle that includes a valet park function such that a position of thevehicle headlamp assembly can be selectively adjusted by activating thevalet park function to move the vehicle to a desired location.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,one or more of the following components are used to provide input datato the controller to control the valet park function: camera, sonar,radar, LiDar, GPS, GNSS, RTK beacon.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,the vehicle headlamp assembly is configured to be mounted within avehicle, and wherein the controller is configured to receive data from asatellite-based positioning system and an RTK beacon to determine aposition of the vehicle, and wherein the controller is configured toreceive worksite architectural and utility data such that the at leastone laser can be adjusted to identify the location of underground items,and/or such that the at least one laser can be adjusted to identifylocations of specific architectural site features.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,the controller is configured to receive the worksite architectural andutility data such that the vehicle headlamp assembly can be used toproject an approximate depth of the underground items.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,the input device comprises a touch screen, a mobile device, and/or avoice command module that can respond to voice commands either throughinterior/exterior sound exciters or the mobile device.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,an advance driver assist system monitors movement between a vehicleincluding the vehicle headlamp assembly and a laser line generated bythe vehicle headlamp assembly, and wherein the controller deactivatesthe at least one laser if no movement is detected within a predeterminedamount of time.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing apparatus,the controller is configured to receive wireless communications fromarriving/departing worksite vehicles and to control the at least onelaser to provide a traffic light function to control worksite trafficpatterns and identify designated parking locations.

A method according to still another exemplary aspect of the presentdisclosure includes, among other things: providing a vehicle headlampassembly with at least one laser; controlling the at least one laser toprovide a plurality of functions; and selectively activating an inputdevice to communicate control commands to control the at least one laserto provide a selected one of the plurality of functions.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, theplurality of functions comprise one or more of a levelling function, aworksite survey function, an outdoor projector function, a traffic lightfunction; and the method further includes adjusting the vehicle headlampassembly in multiple degrees of freedom to provide the plurality offunctions.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods,the vehicle headlamp assembly is configured to be mounted within avehicle that includes a valet park function, and including selectivelyadjusting a position of the vehicle headlamp assembly by activating thevalet park function to move the vehicle.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods,the method further includes providing input data to the controller tocontrol the valet park function via one or more of a camera, sonar,radar, LiDar, GPS, GNSS, RTK beacon.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods,the vehicle headlamp assembly is configured to be mounted within avehicle, and the method further includes receiving data from asatellite-based positioning system and an RTK beacon to determine aposition of the vehicle, and receiving worksite architectural andutility data such that the at least one laser can be adjusted toidentify the location of underground items, and/or such that the atleast one laser can be adjusted to identify locations of specificarchitectural features.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods,the method further includes receiving the worksite architectural andutility data and using the vehicle headlamp assembly to project anapproximate depth of the underground items.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods,the input device comprises a touch screen, a mobile device, and/or avoice command module that can respond to voice commands either throughinterior/exterior sound exciters or the mobile device.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods,the method further includes monitoring movement between a vehicleincluding the vehicle headlamp assembly and a laser line generated bythe vehicle headlamp assembly to provide one of the plurality offunctions, wherein movement is monitored using an advance driver assistsystem, and including deactivating the at least one laser if no movementis detected within a predetermined amount of time.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods,the method further includes receiving wireless communications fromarriving/departing worksite vehicles and selectively controlling the atleast one laser to provide a traffic light function to control worksitetraffic patterns and identify designated parking locations.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs,the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any oftheir various aspects or respective individual features, may be takenindependently or in any combination. Features described in connectionwith one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless suchfeatures are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the detaileddescription. The figures that accompany the detailed description can bebriefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle with headlampassemblies that provide multiple functions.

FIG. 2 shows a projection and/or leveling function.

FIG. 3 shows a utility line identification function.

FIG. 4 shows projecting utility line depth information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure details an exemplary headlamp assembly that providesmultiple functions to operate as both an office and a worksite tool.

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10 with a vehicle headlamp assembly 12 thatincludes at least one light that comprises a laser 14. In one example,the laser 14 is an RGB laser system with three light sources (red,green, blue) which combine to make RGB laser light projections L. Acontroller 16 is in communication with the vehicle headlamp assemblies12 to control the lasers 14 to provide a plurality of functions. Aninput device 18 is configured to receive input commands to control thelasers 14 to provide a selected one of the plurality of functions.

In one example, the plurality of functions comprise, in any combination,one or more of: a levelling function, a worksite survey function, anoutdoor projector function, a traffic light function. In anotherexample, the plurality of functions comprise all of the following: alevelling function, a worksite survey function, an outdoor projectorfunction, and a traffic light function.

In order to provide these functions, the vehicle headlamp assemblies 12are adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. In one example, anadjuster 20 is coupled to each headlamp assembly 12 to provideadjustment in multiple different directions. The adjuster 20 can providefor translational and/or rotational movement along/about the X, Y and/orZ directions.

The controller 16 can include a processor, memory, and one or more inputand/or output (I/O) device interface(s) that are communicatively coupledvia a local interface. The local interface can include, for example butnot limited to, one or more buses and/or other wired or wirelessconnections. The local interface may have additional elements, which areomitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers,repeaters, and receivers to enable communications. Further, the localinterface may include address, control, and/or data connections toenable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components.

The controller 16 may be a hardware device for executing software,particularly software stored in memory. The controller 16 can be acustom made or commercially available processor, a central processingunit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associatedwith the computing device, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in theform of a microchip or chip set) or generally any device for executingsoftware instructions. The software in the memory may include one ormore separate programs, each of which includes an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions. Thecontroller 16 can be configured to execute software stored within thememory, to communicate data to and from the memory, and to generallycontrol operations of the computing device pursuant to the software.

In one example, the vehicle headlamp assemblies 12, in addition toproviding traditional headlight functions, operate as a tool at aworksite. The headlamp assemblies 12 can provide a construction levelfunction using a laser self-leveling feature as shown in FIG. 2 . Theheadlamp assemblies 12 can project an example leveling laser line 22 ona wall 24 of a building 26 under construction, for example. The lineprojections are made based on input commands communicated to the inputdevice 18.

A laser level function makes it possible for a single person to performleveling or grading tasks that would normally require two people usingtraditional manual tools. For example, common uses for laser levels areleveling work sites, grading terrain, or leveling floors. This type oflaser self-leveling function is very accurate. Additional features canalso be programmed into the system such as being switchable betweencontinuous self-levelling or not, identification of TILT movement,Grade/Slope setting, etc.

To project on different surfaces, the vehicle can use a valet parkfunction 28 to move around on the worksite. The valet park function 28comprises command communication with a driverless vehicle to move thevehicle to designated areas. The valet park function 28 allows thevehicle to be shifted into gear such that it can be driven at a slowspeed to a desired location. For example, input commands can say “movetwo feet forward”, “move three feet to the left”, “move one footbackward”, etc. The vehicle is configured such that when operating inthe valet park mode, the vehicle is only capable of moving less thanfive miles per hour. Additionally, an announcement can be issued via thecontroller 16 and associated sound exciters that vehicle movement isabout to start. Exciters work by vibrating a surface they are mountedto, which creates a high-quality invisible speaker.

The vehicle and valet park function 28 can be activated via the inputdevice 18. The input device 18, for example, can comprise a mobiledevice 30, a touch screen 32, and/or a voice command 34 through exteriorsound exciters 36, interior sound exciters 38, or the mobile device.Additionally, the controller 16 can adjust the position of the laserlights 14 using voice commands. For example by saying “move the linehigher”, the vehicle can aim the headlight laser levelling line 22higher on the wall 24. Thus, a position of each vehicle headlampassembly 12 can be selectively and independently adjusted by activatingthe valet park function and/or the respective adjuster 20. In oneexample, Advance Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are used to facilitateoperation of the valet park function 28. For example, one or more of thefollowing ADAS components 40, 42, 44 can be used to provide input datato the controller 16 to control the valet park function 28: camera,sonar, radar, LiDar, Global Positioning System (GPS), Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS), Real Time Kinematic (RTK) beacon.

In one example, the controller 16 is configured to receive data from asatellite-based positioning system 42 and an RTK beacon 44 to determinea position of the vehicle 10. The controller 16 is also configured toreceive worksite architectural and utility data from a data source 46such that the lasers 14 can be adjusted to identify the location ofunderground items 48 such as utility lines, sewers, tanks, and drainagesystems, for example. As shown in FIG. 3 , these locations could beidentified by red lines 50, for example, as “no dig” areas. The lasers14 can also be adjusted to identify locations of specific architecturalsite features such as footing locations where digging would bepermitted. These areas could be shown as “dig” areas by lighted circlesor blue lines 52, for example.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4 , the controller 16 is configured toreceive the worksite architectural and utility data such that thevehicle headlamp assemblies 12 can be used to project an approximatedepth X of the underground items 48. For example, the underground item48 could be X feet below a ground surface 56. The lasers 14 areconfigured to project this distance on the ground surface 56, asindicated at 58, such that it is viewable from above ground.

The projections of the lasers 14 for worksite and architecturallocations are initiated by input commands to the input device 18 asdescribed above. The valet park function 28 can be also be activated viathe input device 18 to adjust the position of the projections.Additionally, the controller 16 can adjust the position of the lasers 14via input commands communicated to the input device 18. Thus, a positionof each vehicle headlamp assembly 12 can be selectively andindependently adjusted by activating the valet park function and/or therespective adjuster 20 to correctly position the projections in thecorrect locations. The ADAS is used to facilitate operation of the valetpark function 28 as described above.

The combination of the satellite-based positioning system 42 and the RTKbeacon 44 allows the location of the vehicle to be accurately identifiedwithin 1 cm. This means the truck can very accurately locate itself on aworksite. At a construction site before any excavation can begin, acontractor must call a service provider to have the site marked forexisting underground utility lines, sewers, tanks, and drainage systems.This process can take several days. The utility lines are then marked bya surveyor with a series of color coded flags and hand painted lines.These marked lines can be up to +/−4 ft form the actual location. Also,no depth information is given so the contractor is asked to hand dig tolocate the utility lines, and then the contractor can more accuratelymark the lines. This is an expensive process that adds several days tothe completion time of a project.

With the RGB laser lights 14 of the subject disclosure, there is theability to use the satellite-based positioning system 42 and the RTKbeacon 44 to accurately locate vehicle position within 1 cm. Existingdata can be loaded into the controller 16 from the data source 46, andthen the lasers 14 can project lines/areas showing where the undergrounditems are located. These projected lines can be accurately projected onthe ground within roughly 2 inches in X, Y and Z directions.Additionally, the approximate depth of the lines can be projected on theground. This can save days and significantly reduce the expense of anexcavation job. By more accurate mapping of the location of undergrounditems 48, a contractor can more easily find the items to work aroundthem. They also avoid losing time while waiting for the service providerto schedule a time and come out and survey/mark the underground items.

In one example, the ADAS is also used to monitor movement between thevehicle 10 and a laser line/projection L generated by the vehicleheadlamp assembly 12 for the various functions. Movement would indicatethat work was being done in relation to the projections L. If movementis not detected there may be no need for continuing to display theprojections L. In one example, the controller 16 deactivates the lasers14 if no movement is detected within a predetermined amount of time.

In another example, the controller is configured to receive messages 60from other arriving/departing worksite vehicles 62 as shown in FIG. 1 .These messages 60 can be wireless communications via Bluetooth LowEnergy (BLE), for example. The controller 16 can then control the lasers14 to provide a traffic light function to control worksite trafficpatterns and identify designated parking locations. Directing traffic inthis manner at construction sites can provide several benefits. A BLEmessage 60 can be received from an arriving expected/scheduled vehicle62, and this vehicle can then be directed to park or dump/unload in aspecific location based on specific contents. Or, the controller 16 cancommunicate with an unidentified vehicle 62 and project lines L todirect the unidentified vehicle 62 where to park to be out of the way,as indicated at 64 in FIG. 1 . Additionally, the lasers 14 couldfunction as a traffic light (GREEN-YELLOW-RED) for traffic control, andcould project an amber light to turn the vehicle into a “constructionbarrel” lamp for foggy conditions on the construction site.

In another example, the lasers 14 are used as a projector for worksiteconferences. As shown in FIG. 2 , a display 66 can be projected onto thewall 24. For example, a laptop can be plugged into a communicationsport, or can connect via WIFI to the vehicle 10, and the presentation onthe laptop can then be projected through headlamp assembles 12. Theheadlamp assemblies 12 can work in tandem to make a larger screen forpresentations. Additionally, by using the ADAS road view camera, a smartprojector can be provided that can livestream the presentation and/or dolive mark-ups based on hand motions on the screen. Also, auto focus withADAS radar components can allow the headlamp assemblies 12 to beadjusted in the fore-aft direction to help focus the image instead ofdriving the vehicle back and forth to get a focused image on screen. Inone example, the headlamp assemblies 12 can flash to indicate where tostop when the vehicle is within a range of headlamp projectoradjustment. Also, the presentation can be given from inside the vehicleusing exterior sound exciters with adjustment through a touch screen,and the projector/display can be adjusted with voice control throughexterior sound exciters.

Although a specific component relationship is illustrated in the figuresof this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit thisdisclosure. In other words, the placement and orientation of the variouscomponents shown could vary within the scope of this disclosure. Inaddition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are notnecessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimizedto show certain details of a particular component.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature.Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may becomeapparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart fromthe essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of protection given tothis disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a vehicle headlampassembly comprising at least one laser; an adjuster coupled to thevehicle headlamp assembly to provide adjustment of the at least onelaser in multiple different directions; a controller in communicationwith the vehicle headlamp assembly, wherein the controller controls theadjuster to provide for translational and/or rotational movement of theat least one laser along and about at least three different axes tocontrol the at least one laser to provide a plurality of functions; andan input device configured to receive input commands to control the atleast one laser to provide a selected one of the plurality of functions.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions compriseone or more of: a levelling function, a worksite survey function, anoutdoor projector function, a traffic light function.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions comprise a levellingfunction where a headlight laser levelling line is projected on asurface and adjusted by the adjuster to move the headlight laserlevelling line to a desired level, a worksite survey function, anoutdoor projector function, and a traffic light function.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one laser of the vehicleheadlamp assembly is adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom by theadjuster in response to input commands via a mobile device, a touchscreen, and/or a voice command.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thevehicle headlamp assembly is configured to be mounted within a vehiclethat includes a valet park function such that a position of the at leastone laser of the vehicle headlamp assembly can be selectively adjustedvia the adjuster by activating the valet park function to move thevehicle to a desired location.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, includingone or more of the following components that are used to provide inputdata to the controller to control the valet park function: camera,sonar, radar, LiDar, GPS, GNSS, RTK beacon.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the input device comprises a touch screen, a mobile device,and/or a voice command module that can respond to voice commands eitherthrough interior/exterior sound exciters or the mobile device.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, including an advance driver assist system tomonitor movement between a vehicle including the vehicle headlampassembly and a laser line generated by the vehicle headlamp assembly,and wherein the controller deactivates the at least one laser if nomovement is detected within a predetermined amount of time.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions comprise atleast a worksite survey function, wherein the at least one laserprojects lines and/or areas showing where underground items are located,and wherein the at least one laser projects a depth of the at least oneunderground item on a ground surface.
 10. An apparatus, comprising: avehicle headlamp assembly comprising at least one laser, wherein thevehicle headlamp assembly is configured to be mounted within a vehicle;a controller in communication with the vehicle headlamp assembly tocontrol the at least one laser to provide a plurality of functions; aninput device configured to receive input commands to control the atleast one laser to provide a selected one of the plurality of functions;and wherein the controller is configured to receive data from asatellite-based positioning system and an RTK beacon to determine aposition of the vehicle, and wherein the controller is configured toreceive worksite architectural and utility data such that the at leastone laser can be adjusted to identify the location of underground items,and/or such that the at least one laser can be adjusted to identifylocations of specific architectural site features.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the controller is configured to receive the worksitearchitectural and utility data such that the vehicle headlamp assemblycan be used to project an approximate depth of the underground items.12. An apparatus, comprising: a vehicle headlamp assembly comprising atleast one laser; a controller in communication with the vehicle headlampassembly to control the at least one laser to provide a plurality offunctions; an input device configured to receive input commands tocontrol the at least one laser to provide a selected one of theplurality of functions, —; and wherein the controller is configured toreceive wireless communications from arriving/departing worksitevehicles and to control the at least one laser to provide a trafficlight function to control worksite traffic patterns and identifydesignated parking locations.
 13. A method comprising: providing avehicle headlamp assembly with at least one laser; controlling the atleast one laser to provide a plurality of functions by using an adjusterthat is coupled to the vehicle headlamp assembly to provide adjustmentof the at least one laser in multiple different directions, wherein theadjuster provides for translational and rotational movement of the atleast one laser along and/or about at least three different axes; andselectively activating an input device to communicate control commandsto control the at least one laser to provide a selected one of theplurality of functions.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theplurality of functions comprise at least a levelling function where aheadlight laser levelling line is projected on a surface and adjusted bythe adjuster to move the headlight laser levelling line to a desiredlevel, and wherein the plurality of functions further comprises one ormore of a worksite survey function, an outdoor projector function, atraffic light function.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the vehicleheadlamp assembly is configured to be mounted within a vehicle thatincludes a valet park function, and including selectively adjusting aposition of the at least one laser of the vehicle headlamp assembly byactivating the valet park function to move the vehicle.
 16. The methodof claim 15, including providing input data to the controller to controlthe valet park function via one or more of a camera, sonar, radar,LiDar, GPS, GNSS, RTK beacon.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein theinput device comprises a touch screen, a mobile device, and/or a voicecommand module that can respond to voice commands either throughinterior/exterior sound exciters or the mobile device.
 18. The method ofclaim 13, including monitoring movement between a vehicle including thevehicle headlamp assembly and a laser line generated by the vehicleheadlamp assembly to provide one of the plurality of functions, whereinmovement is monitored using an advance driver assist system, andincluding deactivating the at least one laser if no movement is detectedwithin a predetermined amount of time.
 19. The method of claim 13,including receiving wireless communications from arriving/departingworksite vehicles and selectively controlling the at least one laser toprovide a traffic light function to control worksite traffic patternsand identify designated parking locations.
 20. The method of claim 13,wherein the plurality of functions comprise at least a worksite surveyfunction, wherein the at least one laser projects lines and/or areasshowing where underground items are located, and wherein the at leastone laser projects a depth of the at least one underground item on aground surface.
 21. A method comprising: providing a vehicle headlampassembly with at least one laser, wherein the vehicle headlamp assemblyis configured to be mounted within a vehicle; controlling the at leastone laser to provide a plurality of functions; selectively activating aninput device to communicate control commands to control the at least onelaser to provide a selected one of the plurality of functions; andfurther including: receiving data from a satellite-based positioningsystem and an RTK beacon to determine a position of the vehicle, andreceiving worksite architectural and utility data such that the at leastone laser can be adjusted to identify the location of underground items,and/or such that the at least one laser can be adjusted to identifylocations of specific architectural features; or receiving wirelesscommunications from arriving/departing worksite vehicles and selectivelycontrolling the at least one laser to provide a traffic light functionto control worksite traffic patterns and identify designated parkinglocations.
 22. The method of claim 21, including receiving the worksitearchitectural and utility data and using the vehicle headlamp assemblyto project an approximate depth of the underground items.